This week, we’re leaving the hustle and bustle of the city and traveling west, to the 4th largest state with the 44th largest population. Home to the nation’s first National Park and the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48. We’re ready for stunning landscapes, outdoor culture, fishing, canoeing, hiking, biking and so much more. So, clean off your best cowboy boots and let’s head to Montana. One of the most northernly states in the US, Montana (from the Spanish for mountain) is the perfect place from which to access magnificent Glacier National Park, and the north and northeast entrances of Yellowstone National Park, both containing rich environments to backpack, hike, and explore. Montana is all about adventure in wide-open spaces, so it’s no wonder it is lovingly referred to as Big Sky Country.
The Ranch at Rock Creek
Let’s saddle up and ride over to The Ranch at Rock Creek, a luxury dude ranch set on 10 miles of Montana ranchland. A pioneer of luxury in the wild, The Ranch at Rock Creek, was the very first ranch to receive the Forbes Five Star award. Easy to reach from Missoula International Airport or by private jet, in and out of nearby Bowman Field Airport, families, couples and friends will discover that The Ranch at Rock Creek is a place that offers a taste of true West without sacrificing true comfort. Accommodations at The Ranch at Rock Creek are varied; in addition to the nine rooms in the main lodge, The Ranch also features 3 Historic Barn Rooms, 7 Private Log Cabin Homes, and 10 Canvas Cabins, for the ultimate in glamping. We love that The Ranch is an all-inclusive experience which includes an almost limitless number of activities like horseback riding on trails that weave among the resorts’ 6000+ acres, fly fishing in Blue Ribbon Rock Creek, a ropes course, hiking, wildlife watching, mountain biking, sporting clays, archery, and games in The Granite Lodge. For the little dudes, ages 4 – 12, there is The Little Grizzly’s Kids Club with daily ranch activities to inspire and awe the kiddos. WIT is here to set up customized excursions for you based on personal interests, so whether fly fishing, bird watching, or a gourmet campfire dinner under a blanket of big sky and stars, an immersive experience is our sweet spot. Additionally, we are delighted to offer our guests one premium bottle of wine upon arrival, $100 ranch credit (may be used at The Granite Spa or The Mercantile), and early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability.
The Resort at Paws Up
Located about 30 miles from Missoula International Airport, is The Resort at Paws Up, a luxury mountain resort situated on a sprawling, 37,000-acres with a real-life working ranch, endless forests and 10 miles of the Blackfoot River on property. At this stunning, all-inclusive resort, you can choose from 28 luxurious vacation homes with two to four bedrooms, all with the option to have a luxe tent pitched in the backyard, or you can experience upscale glamping in one of 36 luxury tents, with beautiful furnishings, private bathrooms, and even the services of a Camping Butler. All of the accommodations provide rustic elegance and comfort in the most beautiful location. The Resort at Paws Up is ideal for a family vacation adventure, whether horseback riding, trout fishing or river rafting, followed by a chuck wagon dinner with s’mores and stargazing. As if the property wasn’t private enough, why not spend a day at the Island Lodge at Salmon Lake. A short 15 minute drive away, is your own private island surrounded by pines and a multitude of warm weather lake activities, with fine cuisine and extraordinary scenery. At WIT, we are excited to put together a bespoke Montana adventure with Paws Up as your base camp. For our guests, we will provide these additional perks: Daily full breakfast, complimentary round-trip private airport transfers, a bottle of wine in room on arrival, $300 USD activity credit, and early check-in, late check-out, subject to availability. Paws Up has an abundance of on property activates that include The Grizzly Man Fitness Trail, archery, pony rides, tennis, snow shoeing and a treasure trove of art and photography workshops. We love Paws Up for the family vacation, but when it’s just the two of you, the newly launched Green O is designed exclusively for adults searching for the perfect blend of adventure and serenity. Made up of twelve secluded Haus accommodations, this natural setting is all about privacy. It’s the ideal disconnect for two.
Triple Creek Ranch
If you are seeking a big sky vacation for the adults, we might suggest Triple Creek Ranch, a member of Relais & Châteaux, where you will be enchanted by this all-inclusive adult only ranch. There is so much to do at this award-winning hideaway in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana, we just want to ensure you stay long enough to enjoy it all. You might do some snow shoeing, or opt to join the ranch staff to drive cattle. Of course, there's a hefty dose of pampering included with 25 luxurious log cabins with outdoor hot tubs and wood-burning fireplaces, not to mention the extraordinary service that comes along with it. While on-ranch, the immense selection of activities includes an outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis, horseshoes, horseback riding, hiking trails, fly casting clinics, fly fishing at on-site ponds or bank fishing the nearby Bitterroot River, archery, birding and nature tours, photo safaris, and cross-country skiing. If you’d like to venture off-ranch, trust WIT to map out a fishing float trip complete with a local guide who knows the best spots, or an ATV tour to uncover hidden viewpoints. We love the forest bathing experience offered at Triple Creek called Mindful Forest Walking, which invites you to “contemplate and wholly experience the vast nature that surrounds us on this unhurried, guided hike through the forest, where you will be invited to engage all of your senses with the natural world”. The mountain bliss is guaranteed. We also guarantee some exclusive perks like: $100 USD resort/hotel credit to be utilized during your stay and early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability.
The Firehole Ranch
For a truly unique world-class fly fishing experience, The Firehole Ranch, set on 640 acres, is the place to be. The property boasts access to some of the most legendary and blue-ribbon fishing rivers, including the Madison, Yellowstone, Henry’s Fork of the Snake, Gallatin, Firehole and the Lamar, just to name a few. Fly fishing enthusiasts will be in absolute heaven at the variety and abundance of these fishing waters which offer virtually every type of Western fly fishing imaginable. The Firehole Ranch’s expert guides are skilled instructors and will patiently show you all the fundamentals of casting, reading the water and determining what is hatching. At the center of the resort is the Main Lodge and 10 guest cabins all built in the 1940’s and lovingly restored to retain their original charm. The Firehole is proud to be a member of the National Historic Register, an honor roll of our nation’s cultural landmarks. The cabins are all uniquely designed with décor that reflects a Western feel, while not skimping on luxurious features and amenities. In addition to world class fishing, The Firehole offers everything from a variety of kayaking tours to hanging out in a shady hammock reading your best novel. With Yellowstone National Park so close, take a day off the river and let WIT plan a custom excursion to the park with a private guide and a gourmet picnic basket. As part of our service, when you book the Firehole with WIT, you will receive a custom welcome amenity, $100 credit at the Fly Shop and early check-in / late check-out, if available. What we love most about the Firehole is their commitment to in-house sustainability and preservation of open space and healthy ecosystems. Guests are invited to join their commitment through their catch and release culture.
That’s all from marvelous Montana- where the sky is blue, the mountains high and the rivers clear. Stay tuned for our next adventure, but until then, we continue to stay strong WIT you!
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